Every new arrival wants to know if they can survive or live well in Thailand on X thousand baht a month?
It's a difficult question because each person has different needs. However, the following surveys and figures are from teachers actually working here! How much do they earn and what do they spend their money on?. And after each case study, I've added comments of my own.
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Approximate Thai Baht (฿) conversion rates as of 16th October 2024
฿33 to one US Dollar฿44 to one Pound Sterling
฿36 to one Euro
฿22 to one Australian Dollar
฿0.58 THB to one Philippine Peso
Robin
Working in Jakarta
Monthly Earnings 286,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
Salary + annual Bonus : 246k. My salary and annual bonus is 246K and private tuition makes me another 30K, and then a further 11K from various investments.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
Around 155k a month. Some months more, some money less. A lot depends on whether i make any large one off payments or go away on holiday. Nearly all of that goes into long term, low risk ETFs and shares, with the intention of hopefully being able to live off the interest/dividends in a few years time.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
Around 25k a month. That get's you a 160 sqm, 3-bedroom condo, relatively close to my school. There are tennis courts, pools and a bar here, so it's a good place to keep fit, but also sink a few beers after work. I plan to move out of here in Febuary to a slightly more modern place, for the same price.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Around 5K. I used a motorbike in Bangkok, but the roads here are a totally different beast. They are utter chaos. So, i just rent a car/driver and car share for the daily commute. The rest goes on Grab taxis, which are much cheaper than they are in Bangkok.
Utility bills
Similiar to Thailand. Around 2K a month for water and electric.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
There is far less nightlife here compared to Bangkok, so I spend a lot less on restaurants and have started to cook at home a lot more, which i have found to be a little more healthier and better in terms of saving money. However, I do like to head out at the weekends and treat myself and order food in during the week sometimes. This comes to around 12K a month.
Nightlife and drinking
As previously mentioned, there aren't as many bars as in Bangkok, so in terms of nightlife, very little. I do like the occasional drink with friends after football, and that comes to around 3K a month.
Books, computers
I have a Macbook from work and a Kindle. I buy a few Ebooks off Amazon each month and enjoy reading. So around 2K.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
World class. The school is first class and takes care of your every need. I was in Bangkok for three years at two schools, which weren't bad at all, but very profit orientated, with the Thai owners constantly penny pinching. Therefore, when I was approached to work in Jakarta, the package was simply too good to turn down. You can eat and drink out whenever you want, and when the holidays arrive, you can go on some truly spectacular holidays.
The food scene and nightlife isn't a patch on Bangkok, but that's only a few hours away and won't go anywhere. I do miss Bangkok for sure though, particularly the parks, watching Port FC and the bar scene by the Chao Praya. I may come back to Thailand at some stage, most likely to Chiang Mai.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Accommodation. When I lived in Bangkok, my housing allowance of 25K didn't really go very far, getting me a condo room the size of a shoe-box in Asok. Over here, you can get some very impressive apartments for the same amount of money, if not less.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
You could easily survive on 40-50k a month here, but like Bangkok, it would mean that you live a fairly restrictive lifestyle.
Phil's analysis and comment
Thanks Robin, it sounds like a great life in Jakarta on that sort of money. You would have a fantastic life in Thailand as well on that salary package but obviously, you'll save as much as you can while Jakarta gives you the opportunity - and head back here one day.
Seb
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 162,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I hold a senior management position in a cookie-cutter international school and my gross salary is around 200K baht, which comes to 162,000 net after deductions. I also get a free economy class return flight to US every two years.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
I put 50,000 baht into a US 401k (via SWIFT) holding low cost ETFs. I'm in my late 50s and have rather neglected saving for retirement, hence this significant contribution. I'd much rather be spending it on something else but I hope to pull the retirement trigger at 65, at which point I'll start drawing it down and my lifestyle will transition to nuclear holocaust.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
42,000 baht a month including bills. It's a standard condo in central Bangkok with a gym, pool, etc. This leaves me with around 70K a month to live my life.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
BTS and taxis consume around 6,000 baht a month I'd say.
Utility bills
Bills are included in the 42,000 rent. I pay around 2,000 for air-con and water.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I eat out every night and I don't spare the horses here. Haute cuisine adds up, particularly when paying for two on many such occasions. Let's say 30,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
I'm out a lot. I love the Bangkok nightlife. I'll often be found entertaining a lady on rooftop bars and those cocktails don't pay for themselves. I'm going with another 30,000 here once 'miscellaneous services' are factored in.
Books, computers
Zero. I use a work laptop.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Living the dream.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Necking a few pints of Hoegaarden Original at 350 a pop on Palate Rooftop Bar at sunset is superb value. I'll often drop a grand there after a hard day of deciding what our school's core values are, observing teachers teach and avoiding cover classes at all costs.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
70K a month to survive but 100K to thrive.
Phil's analysis and comment
I know that feeling well Seb when you didn't worry about retirement in your younger years and suddenly your golden years need fast-tracking with some serious cash injections. You're not going without though by the sound of things. Plenty of nights out, good food, and a fine place to come home to at the end of each day. I bet you wouldn't know what to do with that extra 50,000 baht anyway. LOL
Richard
Working in Chonburi
Monthly Earnings 110,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I work as a senior teacher at an international school and my full-time salary is 110,000. It's not one of the top-paying international schools by any stretch but more what you would call mid-range. I also get a month's bonus at the end of each year but I haven't factored that in. I use that money to make the annual trip home and can usually treat myself to a business class flight.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
I don't set out to save a specific amount each month, I guess I'm like most other teachers, you pay your bills, do your shopping, spend what needs to be spent and then see what amount you have left over. I don't think there are many months where I don't save at least 30-40K.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I've recently moved into a nice newly-built condo unit, and that cost me just under two million baht. I paid half of the amount myself, and family members have helped me out with the other half. The bank of Mom and Dad offers fantastic interest rates! It's only a small condo with a living room space, a kitchen and a bathroom. It would be a fairly tight squeeze for a couple but it's fine for one. I absolutely love it here!
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I have my own car, which I bought three years ago. It's only about a ten-minute drive to work so gas barely costs a couple of thousand a month. I don't tend to use the car if I do any travelling in Thailand (which I do at every opportunity I get) I find driving long distances here too stressful so I prefer to take the plane or the train, book a nice hotel near the beach, and spoil myself a little.
Utility bills
I'm billed directly by the utility companies so it's around 2,000 a month for electricity and water. There is also a 700 baht a month service charge to keep the community areas maintained, etc.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
One of the reasons I love Chonburi is there are so many new cafes and eateries popping up all the time. One closes and another one springs up in its place. I love exploring on foot (or motorcycle taxi) and finding new places. I can't imagine anything more laborious than planning meals and cooking at home. Why would you when eating out is such great value! I don't skimp on food and drink. This is probably 20,000 a month. What's that? 600 baht a day. Yes, must be at least that when you factor in the odd bottle of wine and craft beers.
Nightlife and drinking
I put supermarket alcohol in the above section. I'm actually not that keen on Chonburi late at night because it has its fair share of beered-up loose cannons. To be honest, I'd rather swerve the drinking in Chonburi and head down to Pattaya for the weekend. I do that once a month and can easily drop 20K.
Books, computers
I prefer watching TV to reading so I have a Netflix subscription (around 500 baht isn't it) I do like to have the latest smartphone though and those can be around 40K these days. Difficult to put a monthly figure on this one.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Absolutely fabulous! I sometimes feel guilty when I'm lounging around the condo pool, drinking and laughing with a few fellow residents I've become friendly with, and think how my home country has gone down the toilet. I hope the day never comes when I have to return there. Thailand is just paradise in comparison.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Eating out. It's terrific value once you get out of Bangkok and avoid the tourist rip-off joints in places like Pattaya and Phuket. You can get a fabulous meal in Chonburi for a couple of hundred baht.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I wouldn't want to live in a major Thai city on less than 80K a month, so what I earn is more than enough! You have to strike a work-life balance. Having a great time here doesn't necessarily mean spending lots of money. Some of the best things are free or cost very little. I can happily go down to the seafront for a run and eat 50 baht's worth of hawker food.
Phil's analysis and comment
Thanks Richard, it sounds like you're really enjoying life here. And I absolutely agree with you - eating out in small cafes, etc is very reasonable once you move outside of Bangkok, etc and no, you don't have to spend, spend, spend to have a good time. Sometimes it's actually a joy to find those pleasurable activities that cost very little.
David
Working in Songkhla
Monthly Earnings 40,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I work at a large secondary school in Songkhla, South Thailand, and my full-time salary is 40,000 (less a little bit of tax) To make salary, I teach 16 contact hours a week and do a few hours of admin work. It's a pretty relaxed schedule if I'm honest. On Fridays, I only have to teach two hours. I like Fridays!
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
I try to aim for 10-15K but the problem I have with earning teacher salaries at the lower end of the scale (and I suppose 40K is low end) there are always unexpected expenses just around the corner that can put a serious dent in your savings and budgeting. This month I had to pay over 30,000 for some much-needed dental work that I had been putting off for far too long.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I share a house with two other foreign teachers so we split the 9,000 baht a month rent (plus bills) three ways. We all have a large bedroom each, a communal living room and kitchen, two bathrooms (but the shower only works in one of them) and there is a nice leafy garden and terrace where we can sit out and enjoy a beer. The landlord's wife is a teacher at the school so that's probably why we get such a decent deal on the rent. I'm sure he could get considerably more than 9K a month if he tried.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
We all have our own motorcycle so if you factor in gas and repairs, etc it probably comes to around 1,500 a month. I keep saying I'll buy a cheap second-hand car one day, but it hasn't happened yet.
Utility bills
The electricity bill is around 4,000 a month because we sometimes have three air-conditioners burning juice in the evenings and on weekends, while water is around 200 baht. And of course there is the usual phone plan and streaming subscriptions that add another thousand baht a month.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I'm not much of a breakfast person, so I'll just grab a snack on the way to work (maybe some meat and sticky rice) The school has an excellent canteen with a great choice of Thai dishes and even stuff that foreigners like such as deep fried chicken fillets, french fries, etc. The school gives us an allowance to spend each week. It's a good system. For my main meal after school (I rarely eat after 5pm) I'll go to a local restaurant and have something with maybe a beer or soft drink for around hundred baht. If you add in shopping at the market for fresh fruit, my food bill is probably around 6,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
Songkhla is quite a vibrant city after dark if you know where to go. I tend to divide my nights out between student groups or a few teaching colleagues, but I do like a night out a couple of times a week. I don't drink an awful lot though and two or three small bottles of beer is enough (especially if I have work the following day) Shall we say another 6,000 baht a month.
Books, computers
Not much. My smartphone and laptop are both four years old and still doing the job. I've never been much of a gadget person.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Oh, I absolutely love it down here in South Thailand and I'm going into my fourth year here now. The people are the warmest and friendliest you could wish to meet and everybody just gets along. Yes, it would be nice to have a bigger salary and be putting more away for the future but for now, I'm just enjoying life and going with the flow. Hopefully the future will take care of itself.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Eating out at local hole-in-the-wall restaurants is terrific value and I would also say bus travel if you fancy having a day out in one of the neighboring provinces.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
In Songkhla, 30-35K a month means you don't go without.
Phil's analysis and comment
Thanks Dave. I've recently returned from a road trip down south and I couldn't agree more about the southern folk being amongst the friendliest in Thailand. I wasn't in Songkhla but I've been down there a couple of times before and it's a lovely province. I also agree with what you say about 'unexpected expenses' and that's why you always need to keep some savings under the mattress. You never know what's around the corner. I've just had a bedroom air-conditioner pack up and it cost me around 20K to replace.
Eddie
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 110,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I work at an international school and my take-home pay is around 110K a month, which includes a housing allowance and end-of-year bonus. I also get a return air-fare once a year, which comes in handy for the annual family visit.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
The answer is as much as I can, because I'm 35 now and have no intention of working past 55. If things go well, I might retire even sooner. I try and send back at least 50K a month to the UK because banks over there are offering pretty attractive interest rates these days if you're willing to tie up your money for several years.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 10,000 a month for a one-bed condo in the Bangkok suburbs. It's nothing special and it's a fairly old building with only the basic facilities but I get on well with the staff and I've never felt any reason to move. I don't want to spend any more than 20% of my remaining salary anyway. As long as I've got my comforts like a decent TV, a nice fridge, etc and the neighbours aren't too noisy, that's really all I'm looking for.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I use motorbike taxis and the skytrain/metro and this comes to around 1,500 a month I guess.
Utility bills
Usually around 2,000 baht depending on how hot the weather is and how much I need to turn the air-condition on. It's always nice to get April and May out of the way isn't it? I thought it was particularly hot this year.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I'm very much a single guy so there's only me to take care of. I do have a lady friend who I see at the weekends and we'll go out and eat together but generally, she's very good about paying when it's her turn (she earns nearly as much as I do so why not?) I get school lunches provided, I usually skip breakfast, so most days of the week there's only an evening meal to find and I rarely pay above 100 baht a time for that, including a soft drink. Even with supermarket and 7-11 shopping, I bet the total spend doesn't break 8,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
I got bored of the nightlife scene ages ago. I'll have a Friday or Saturday night out maybe twice a month but it's never anything too heavy. Let's say 4,000 a month tops and I'm always in bed by midnight.
Books, computers
I do enjoy reading and I download stuff from Amazon and pick up second-hand reads from various bookshops. It probably averages out around 2,000 a month.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I'm perfectly happy with it. I'm simply not a great drinker or socializer and if you're neither of those, that monthly pay packet will stretch much further. One section I think you should include in these surveys is travel because most of my spare cash goes on travelling in Thailand. It's a huge country and over the past ten years, I've got to see well over half of its 77 provinces. Which probably leads me nicely to....
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Everything associated with domestic travel. Long distance bus and train fares are an absolute steal if you've got the time on your hands, and in most cities outside of the obvious tourist destinations, you can get cracking hotel rooms for less than a thousand baht a night. One thing we do get at my school is a generous amount of time off and as soon as I see the chance to take off for a few days, I grab it with both hands. I've already got four trips planned in the the rest of this year.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
In Bangkok? If I wasn't desperately trying to save as much money as possible for my hopefully early retirement, I would say 50K at a pinch. But I think you could put 50% on top of that if you were a serious night owl. Nearly every fellow teacher, every foreigner I know, who struggles with money and barely has a pot to piss in in the week leading up to pay day, drinks too much.
Phil's analysis and comment
Thanks Eddie. Yes, I've been investigating those UK bank account interest rates myself and couldn't resist a slice of the action. Smart move indeed. And although 110K is a very decent salary, why fritter it away when you're simply not a party animal and prefer quiet nights in with a good book? Keep stashing it away son, because take it from me, you'll be well into your fifties before you know it. And that's when you'll start reaping the rewards and be able to spend your golden years travelling even more!
Showing 5 Cost of Living surveys out of 434 total
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